The best time to visit Japan is in November and in April. Both of these months fall outside of Japan’s summer high tourism scene and offer experiences you can’t find at any other time of the year.
Although a tad cooler, the fall month of November is a fantastic time of year to travel to Japan. In our experience, temperatures are still comfortable in most of the country, with the added bonus of less rainfall than during the peak summer season.
April is an excellent alternative, too, thanks to falling at the tail-end of Japan’s cherry blossom (sakura) season. Keep in mind, though, that the cherry blossoms attract large crowds of tourists and locals to popular travel destinations around Japan, like Kyoto and Nara.
Ready to get the full low-down on when to visit this fascinating country? Plan the ultimate itinerary with our complete Japan weather guide by season and month, including our recommendations for where to go, what to expect, and what to wear!
Weather in Japan: An overview
Japan has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In general, summer is hot and humid, while winter is cool. Weather conditions in spring and autumn fall somewhere between. Unfortunately, we know this isn’t much help for planning a trip to Japan!
One of the first things to know before traveling to Japan is that there’s a BIG swing in temperatures and weather conditions throughout the year. The climate varies significantly, even between regions.
On our couple trips to Japan, we’ve noticed that the weather conditions can range from the cool, humid temperate climate of Hokkaido in the north to the warm tropical rainforest in the Yaeyama Islands to the south. The massive variation can be surprising, especially if you’re used to the less extreme temperature differentials elsewhere in East Asia.
Add to that the all-too-real possibility of natural disasters like tsunamis, typhoons, and earthquakes, and you can see why we think choosing when to visit Japan is such a challenge.
(Just ask the Japan Meteorological Agency!)
While it won’t substitute digging deeper into the climates of each region and checking Japanese weather forecasts before you go, below we’ve provided a general overview of the weather in Japan by season and by month.
In each section, we give our recommendations on where to go and what to wear to help you plan your Japan itinerary whenever you decide to go.
Looking for more inspiration? Time your trip perfectly with our other when to go & weather guides, and check out our Japan Travel Guide for more recommendations on where to go & what to do!
Weather by season
Spring
When is spring in Japan?
Spring in Japan falls between March and May.
What to expect in spring
Coming off of the cool winter months, we see temperatures throughout Japan begin to rise as March rolls in. Early spring remains cool in northern Japan. The south, on the other hand, begins to return to its balmy warmth.
In our opinion, spring is one of the most interesting seasons to visit Japan, as the plum and cherry blossoms are in full swing.
The cherry blossom season changes from year to year. In our experience planning trips here over the years, it usually peaks between late March and mid-April.
We’d recommend checking out the Japan National Tourist Association’s official website for the official cherry blossom forecast when it’s released.
Late April and early May are among the busiest times of the year in Japan. Aside from the cherry blossoms, a string of national holidays forms the country’s famous Golden Week. We’d recommend booking accommodations and tickets well ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
(We learned this lesson the hard way when we accidentally booked a trip at the tail-end of Golden Week!)
Deciding what to wear in spring? From our experience, a lightweight rain jacket and light sweater should suffice throughout Japan for most of the season.
In northern Japan, at the beginning of the season, you’ll want to bundle up more. Pack a softshell coat or fleece jacket and extra layers of warmer clothing.
Spring festivals & holidays
- Golden Week: late April to early May
- Showa Day: April 29th
- Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi): May 3rd
- Green Day (Midori no hi): May 4th
- Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi): May 5th
Visiting on a time crunch? Maximize your vacation with our complete one-day Kyoto itinerary, one day in Osaka itinerary, and our guide to spending 24 hours in Tokyo!
Summer
When is summer in Japan?
Summer in Japan is from June to August.
What to expect in summer
Summer is the hottest and most humid season in Japan. Although it’s the busiest time of year for international tourists, summer isn’t one of the most comfortable seasons to visit the country, in our experience.
June, particularly the beginning, is one of the rainiest times of the year. And after visiting at this time on one of our trips, it’s not a month we’d recommend.
In the heat and humidity, finding adventures in the cooler mountain areas makes traveling more comfortable in summer. If we could only visit in summer, we’d check out places like Nagano, Hokkaido, or Hakone instead of more popular destinations like Tokyo or Kyoto.
If visiting Japan in summer, we should warn you that the summer months kick off typhoon season in Japan. The typhoon season in Japan generally runs from July to October. The bulk of the fury, however, often hits Japan between the months of August and September.
In the dead heat of summer, we’d suggest going light with your clothing. Aim to bring along lightweight travel clothes to stay cool in the humidity.
Surprisingly enough, we’d also recommend packing a light sweater or cardigan for the over-air-conditioned restaurants and stores throughout Japan. Since rain is inevitable in Japan’s summer heat, bringing along an ultralight rain jacket is also a great idea.
Summer festivals & holidays
- Gion Matsuri (Kyoto)
- Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka)
- Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori)
- Awa Odori
Autumn
When is autumn in Japan?
Autumn in Japan lasts between September and November.
What to expect in autumn
In autumn, temperatures throughout Japan begin to settle down from the extreme heat of summer. In our opinion, fall is one of the best times to travel around Japan to enjoy outdoor activities. We love visiting Japan in autumn to relax in cool breezes among the changing leaves and fall foliage.
Thanks to the beautiful autumn scenery, fall is our favorite time of year to go hiking in Japan. Visiting in these cooler, drier months, you’ll also have a better chance of catching scenes of the iconic (and elusive) Mount Fuji at their clearest.
Similar to spring, we’d suggest packing a light jacket and light sweaters in your travel backpack. During the day, you should be able to get away with a long-sleeved shirt or even a t-shirt on warmer days. Dress in layers, just in case.
Don’t forget to pack a comfortable and durable pair of hiking shoes if you’re planning to hike.
Autumn festivals & holidays
- Kichijoji Autumn Festival
- Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri
- Sapporo Autumn Fest
- Nagasaki Kunchi Festival
- Jidai Matsuri
- Kurama Fire Festival
Winter
When is winter in Japan?
Winter in Japan is between December and February.
What to expect in winter
As expected, winter is the coolest season in Japan and generally the driest. The one exception is Hokkaido. The regular snowfall in Japan’s northernmost island during winter offers plenty of incentives for winter sports enthusiasts to visit, including the country’s finest skiing & snowboarding.
Winter also hosts a handful of national holidays, including Japan’s national day, National Foundation Day, celebrated on February 11th, and the Emperor’s Birthday on February 23rd or 24th. Be sure to plan accordingly if visiting around these days.
Besides your usual indoor clothes, we’d recommend a warm overcoat and warm sweaters in most areas of Japan during the winter months. Layering a fleece jacket with a waterproof outer shell is perfect for taking on the ski slopes.
The exception to this rule is in the southern islands. Throughout most of the winter, you should still be able to get away with a light jacket or sweater.
Winter festivals & holidays
- Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Matsuri
- Sapporo Snow Festival
- Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
- Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Weather by month
January
The weather in January is generally dry and sunny. With the exception of New Year, the crowds throughout Japan are smaller than in other months, in our experience. Average lows are between -8°C (18°F) in Sapporo and 14°C (57°F) in Naha, with average highs of -1°C (30°F) and 19°C (66°F)
Northern Japan sees a lot of snowfall, making it the perfect destination for winter sports like skiing. If you want to escape the cool temperatures, Southern Japan is relatively mild in January.
February
Not all that different from January, February in Japan is wonderfully dry and sunny. Average low temperatures hover between -7°C (19°F) in Sapporo and 14°C (57°F) in Naha. Average highs are between 0°C (32°F) and 19°C (66°F) from north to south. Japan’s national holiday (National Foundation Day) and the Emperor’s Birthday also fall in February.
Like January, we’d suggest aiming for the winter sports wonderland of Hokkaido or the alpine regions. In our opinion, seeing small Japanese villages blanketed by snow or dipping into an authentic onsen experience with slightly milder temperatures makes February the perfect month for anyone wanting to visit Japan in winter.
The famous Sapporo Snow Festival also takes place over seven days in February.
March
Conditions get much milder in the first official month of spring in Japan. Plum trees and cherry blossoms start to bloom in the southern parts of Japan near the end of the month.
Average lows drop anywhere from -4°C (25°F) in Sapporo to 16°C (61°F) in Okinawa, while average highs throughout most of the country sit between 4°C (39°F) and 21°C (70°F).
The winter sports season is at its tail-end during March. Most Japanese cities begin to de-thaw from winter and, in our opinion, are pleasant to walk around as long as you’re properly dressed.
Avoid traveling towards late March as school holidays kick in.
April
Even milder than March, April is one of the best times to go to Japan, in our opinion. By now, sakura season is in full force. Cherry blossoms bust out incredible scenes all over the country. Average daytime highs jump up to 11°C (52°F) in Sapporo and 24°C (75°F) in Naha, while average lows sit at 3°C (37°F) and 19°C (66°F).
Other than Hokkaido, nearly everywhere in Japan is in full bloom by April. In fact, we think April is perhaps the best time to visit Tokyo and other big Japanese cities for its combination of mild temperatures, sunny days, and drier conditions. Oh, and the peak of cherry blossom season!
Keep the crowds in mind as late April brings Golden Week, the biggest domestic travel period of the year. We’d recommend booking well in advance if you’re planning to travel during the Golden Week holidays.
(We once got caught accidentally booking a trip around Golden Week—and our wallets paid dearly!)
May
Temperatures continue to rise into May, making it one of the most pleasant months of the year to travel to Japan. The vegetation throughout Japan has already become thick and lush. Temperature averages hover between lows of 8°C (46°F) and 22°C (72°F) and highs of 17°C (63°F) and 26°C (79°F) in Sapporo and Naha, respectively.
Most of Japan is pleasant to travel through in May. The exception is Okinawa, where the rainy season is starting.
After visiting Japan in May on one of our trips, we’ve experienced that May gets wetter as the month drags on. We’d suggest planning your trip in the first half of the month rather than towards the end when the rainy season starts approaching in much of the country.
With the exception of Golden Week at the beginning of the month, we’ve noticed that the tourist crowds throughout Japan are smaller in May. Tackling the busiest tourist areas is smart. We think it’s the perfect month to dig into all the fun things to do in Kyoto and our favorite attractions in Osaka.
In our opinion, May is also the perfect time to start flexing your Japan rail pass for a cross-country journey.
June
Rainfall picks up significantly in early June as the rainy season hits. The temperatures in Japan in June also begin to climb from the mild conditions of May. Average lows range from 12°C (54°F)in the north in Sapporo to 25°C (77°F) in the south in Naha. Highs hover around 21°C (70°F) and 29°C (84°F) for the two cities.
Hokkaido is the driest Japanese tourist destination in June and, in our opinion, one of the most pleasant places to visit this month. Escaping cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto for hot springs resorts is a good idea in June.
July
The rainy season in Japan is all but finished by the end of July. Throughout Japan, the heat and humidity in July can be off-putting. Temperatures in Japan rise even more, with average lows in Sapporo sitting at 17°C (63°F) and at 26°C (79°F) in Naha. High temperatures jump, too, with Sapporo hitting an average of 25°C (77°F) and Naha blazing at 31°C (89°F).
We’d suggest finding refuge at higher elevations to keep cool during the heat of July. Launching an itinerary to spend one week in Hokkaido (or more!) is a great choice this month.
Our one word of caution? Be sure to plan your trip around the school holidays, which start in late July and extend into August.
August
Like other summer months, August in Japan is hot, humid, and, in our experience, generally uncomfortable. Towards the end of the month, typhoon season starts to roll into Japan.
Needless to say, we don’t think this is an optimal time to travel to Japan.
Average temperatures soar to average lows of 19°C (66°F) in Sapporo and 26°C (79°F) in Naha, with average highs of 26°C (79°F) and 31°C (89°F).
With central Japan mired in extreme heat and humidity, we’d recommend sticking to Hokkaido and other elevated areas to stay comfortable.
August is the high season for Japanese domestic travel. We’d strongly recommend booking your accommodations well ahead of time to score better deals and avoid availability issues.
September
The heat and humidity in Japan continue into September with a little respite. Typhoon season is usually in full swing in September, slamming the coast with a flurry of foul conditions.
Average temperatures throughout the country range from lows of 14°C (57°F) in Sapporo and 25°C (77°F) in Naha to highs of 22°C (72°F) and 30°C (86°F), respectively.
With the possibility of typhoons, the coastal areas aren’t the most pleasant places to visit in Japan in September. Traveling to Honshu (Japan’s main island) or Hokkaido works better.
By September, the high tourism season in Japan is (finally!) over. When we’ve been here in September, we enjoy the extra breathing room throughout the country. Digging into Tokyo’s cool tourist attractions is a great idea in September.
Throwing Tokyo into your itinerary? Leave at least a couple extra days in your travel plan to check out some awesome day trips from Tokyo!
October
In October, Japan becomes more comfortable to travel thanks to a reduction in the heat and humidity. It’s still warm enough, however, to enjoy yourself outside without covering up too much.
Average temperatures get as low as 7°C (45°F) in Sapporo and 23°C (73°F) in Naha, while highs hover around the 16°C (61°F) and 28°C (82°F) marks.
October is one of our favorite months to explore Japan to its fullest. Although the far north starts to get a little cooler, the early explosion of fall colors makes a good argument for October being the best time to visit Hokkaido.
Staying in the three major tourist cities—Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto—is more comfortable in October than in September, in our opinion.
November
For its mild temperatures and low rainfall, November gets our huge thumbs-up. By now, the autumn foliage is in full force, and the leaves have erupted into a torrent of fall colors.
With the high season officially behind us, Japan is much quieter than at other times of the year. Average temperatures dip to lows of 1°C (34°C)in Sapporo and a still comfortable 20°C (68°F) in Naha. Average highs of 8°C (46°F) in Sapporo and 24°C (75°F) in Nara really begin to show the temperature gap between north and south.
Hokkaido’s plummeting temperatures might be off-putting for many travelers. Honshu is still relatively mild in November and is the perfect place to witness the Japanese autumn colors in full force.
Under the fall colors, we think November could very well be the ideal time to visit Kyoto. With the relatively lower tourist numbers, this is also a fantastic month to stay in Tokyo at more reasonable prices.
November is also an excellent time to visit the Mount Fuji area; it’s often at its clearest in this dry and mild month.
December
Colder than November but still dry, December isn’t such a bad month for visiting Japan. Average temperatures start to dip even more, with Sapporo seeing lows of -4°C (25°F) and Naha hitting 16°C (61°F). Average highs in Sapporo only reach a chilly 2°C (36°F), while Naha still has spring-like conditions at 21°C (70°F).
If the colder temperatures don’t bother you, the cities on Honshu should be quiet during most of December. Northern Japan is a little too chilly for most casual travelers. But the end of the month sees the winter sports season gearing up; it’s the perfect time to launch a Hokkaido itinerary!
To escape the cold, head down to the warmer climes of Okinawa.
Final recommendations
The best month to visit Japan is either November or April.
Why visit in November?
Overall, traveling to Japan in November is our recommended choice. The reason is simple: the weather. Unlike the wet, hot, and humid months that precede it, we think November is an excellent compromise between warmth and dryness.
Sure, November isn’t filled with balmy t-shirt-wearing days. But what we lose in heat, we make up for in both lower precipitation and more elbow room.
And let’s not forget the beautiful fall colors: November is the perfect time of year in Japan for that, too!
Why visit in April?
It’s a real toss-up. Although November might inch out April by a slight margin, it’s easy to see why we think traveling to Japan in April is also a fantastic idea.
April is the prime time to witness Japan’s famous cherry blossoms in full bloom. Walking the streets of Kyoto or through a park in Tokyo at this time of year is an experience we think everyone should have in their life.
And then there’s the weather.
Along with November, April is one of the most comfortable months to go to Japan. In our experience, there’s relatively little rain in most areas of Japan in April. The temperatures in most Japanese cities are also mild.
The only downfall we see in traveling to Japan in April is the crowds. With the cherry blossoms in full swing, spring school holidays, and Golden Week, April can be a busy time in Japan.
We’d recommend planning well ahead if you decide to visit in April.
